KMK: Ice Skating in Seoul

With winter gearing up you’re probably bundled in swathes of blankets and cocooning on your ondol heated floors. Well, busters, time to shed those covers, don your warmest clothing, and head outside to enjoy what winter has to offer. You don’t even have to travel to the countryside to experience a winter wonderland of activities.

Take, for instance, ice skating. The ice skating rink that used to open at City Hall Plaza is moving this year to Gwanghwamun Plaza, opening 12/11 through 2/15 from 10 am – 10 pm. You can do more than just ice skate at the rink. Several events include fireworks, laser shows, sledding and an ice sculpture display.

Over at city hall, the former site of the rink, you can checkout the Antarctica display. Admission is only a measly 1,000W.

Next up is the Grand Hyatt situated on the scenic Namsan Mountain. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city while slipping on your skates and gliding away the afternoon hours. The rink itself is about 990 square meters and can fit about 150 skaters.

Special activities include lover’s day where couples get a two for one deal and also free skate day.The entrance fee is 18,000 won (22,000 on weekends) and a rental fee for a pair of skates is 14,000 won for two hours.

Until mid-February, the rink opens from noon to 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to Sunday, as well as holidays.

Finally, you can head over to The Sheraton at Walkerhill which has a rink under the theme of “Magical Snowland” on Dec. 20 through Feb. 15.

The large oval-shaped ice rink can fit up to 500 people. The rink also caters to couples with thousands of small lights and romantic music. A new cafeteria will be set up at the rink offering delicious finger food.

Theirs is also a Christmas tree made of crystals, a dinner show, a couple’s skating competition and more special events.

The entrance fee is 20,000 won with 12,000 won for skate rental during weekdays, and the admission fee goes up to 30,000 won on weekends.

The hotel is a short taxi ride from Gangbyeon Station on Subway Line 2. The rink opens from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.

For more information, call (02) 455-5000 or click here.

So this winter, do yourself a favor and grab your loved ones, head out to a nearby rink, strap on some skates and enjoy the chilly weather, because really it’s not going anywhere till Spring so you may as well have a good time.

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